City of Amarillo v. Ji-woo Park

We're on the record in City of Amarillo versus Ji-woo Park, citation A-26-104105. The venire panel is seated. Ms. Tate, Mr. Okoro, you may begin voir dire.

Ms. Tran, juror number three. Have you or anyone in your family ever had to rely on an interpreter?

Yes. My parents did, when I was younger. I know how hard it is.

Mr. Castillo, number four. Do you drive through Georgia and I-40 often?

Every day, on my way to work.

Would that make it hard for you to be fair to either side?

No. I can be fair.

The City calls Officer Maria Esparza.

Officer Esparza, what did you see at 7:12 that morning?

A white Hyundai Sonata entered the intersection northbound on Georgia after the signal had turned red. I was stopped at the light on the frontage road with a clear view.

I'm showing you State's Exhibit 1. Is this a fair diagram of that intersection?

Yes, it is.

Mr. Park, please tell the jury what happened as you approached the intersection of Georgia and I-40.

박 선생님, 조지아 스트리트와 40번 주간 고속도로 교차로에 접근했을 때 무슨 일이 있었는지 배심원단에게 말씀해 주십시오.

EnglishMr. Park, please tell the jury what happened when you approached the intersection of Georgia Street and Interstate 40.

신호등이 노란불로 바뀌었습니다. 뒤에 트럭이 아주 가까이 따라오고 있어서 급정거하면 위험하다고 생각했습니다. 그래서 그냥 지나갔습니다.

EnglishThe light changed to yellow. A truck was following very closely behind me, so I thought stopping suddenly would be dangerous. So I just went through.

The light turned yellow. A truck was following very close behind me, so I thought it would be dangerous to brake hard. So I went through.

Was the light red when you entered the intersection?

교차로에 진입했을 때 신호가 빨간불이었습니까?

EnglishWas the signal red when you entered the intersection?

아니요, 노란불이었습니다. 제가 교차로 한가운데 있을 때 빨간불로 바뀌었습니다.

EnglishNo, it was yellow. It turned red when I was in the middle of the intersection.

No, it was yellow. It turned red while I was in the intersection.

Your Honor, the defense offers Defense Exhibit A, the drawing Mr. Park just made on the whiteboard.

Mr. Park, isn't it true you told Officer Esparza that you didn't see the light?

박 선생님, 에스파르자 경관에게 신호를 못 봤다고 말씀하신 것이 사실 아닙니까?

EnglishMr. Park, isn't it true that you told Officer Esparza you didn't see the signal?

그렇게 말한 것 같습니다. 그때는 너무 당황해서 영어로 설명을 잘 못했습니다.

EnglishI think I said that. At the time I was so flustered that I could not explain well in English.

I think I said that. I was very nervous and couldn't explain well in English.

Members of the jury, you will now retire to the jury room to deliberate. The exhibits admitted into evidence will be available to you on the jury room display.